The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming - Roundhouse

YaD Arts in association with Tall Stories are presenting Lemony Snicket’s The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming at the Roundhouse (Studio Theatre) – from November 28 to December 30, 2012.

Described as an absurdly funny Christmas story about a distressed potato pancake, The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming is the first UK stage adaptation from the rich and strange world of American children’s author Lemony Snicket, best known for A Series of Unfortunate Events, which became a Hollywood film in 2004.

The production is adapted for the stage with the unique physical and musical style of Tall Stories, the creators of The Gruffalo, whose previous work at the Roundhouse includes Twinkle Twonkle (2011) and Them With Frozen Tails (2009).

The story begins in a tiny snowy village where a Hanukkah Latke, a fried potato pancake, is born screaming (as anyone would if they were thrown into a pan of boiling oil). The Latke leaps from the boiling pan and races through the wintery village that is preparing for Christmas, on his way encountering several different kinds of Christmas decorations. The question is: will the Latke ever find where it belongs?

The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming, a show about being yourself and appreciating others, has a cast of five who play a variety of instruments including the ukulele, clarinet, saxophone, melodica, banjo and guitar. Also expect vegetable battles, sparkling lights and pine trees.

Lemony Snicket is the pen name for American novelist Daniel Handler (born 1970). The author of several children’s books, three of his thirteen novels in the collection A Series of Unfortunate Events (The Bad Beginning, The Reptile Room and The Wide Window) were adapted for the cinema in a film of the same title starring Jim Carey (2004).

As well as The Gruffalo, Tall Stories’ other titles for young children include The Snow Dragon (2005), Room on the Broom (2009) and Twinkle Twonkle (2011). The Snail and the Whale (2012) is currently playing at Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Produced by Bonnie Mitchell, The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming has music, lyrics and sound design by Lemez & Fridel, set design by Bek Palmer and lighting design by James Whiteside Associate.

The show is suitable for ages 5+.

Tickets: £10, £8 concessions, family £32 – available on 0844 482 8008 or online at www.roundhouse.org.uk.

Times: November 28 to December 20: Tuesday to Thursday at 10am and 2pm, Saturday and Sunday at 11am and 2.30pm; December 22 to December 30: Tuesday to Sunday at 11am and 2.30pm.

Running Time: 50 minutes.

Special performances: Post show talks (2.55pm) November 29 and December 6, 15, 20 and 27; Family workshops (4pm) December 2, 16 and 23.